THE LADY FERN. 
139 
above the surface on which this fern is found 
to grow; sometimes raised to a height of several 
inches. From the under side of the root-stock 
grow the thin, matted, fibrous roots, which pene- 
trate deeply into the soil, and eagerly drink in 
the abundant moisture which is essential to its 
existence. From the crown of the root-stock 
start up in thick tufts a mass of delightful 
green brittle and herbaceous fronds, supported 
each on its stem — one-third, and sometimes one- 
fourth, of its entire length ; sometimes bright 
green in colour, at other times a delightful 
purple. The form of the frond is lance- 
shaped, tapering from its base to its centre, 
and from its centre to its point. On each 
side of its central rib, or rachis, are arranged 
in alternation a line of leaflets tapered out- 
wards in the same way that the frond is 
tapered upwards. On each side of the mid- 
rib of each leaflet is a row of lobes, beau- 
tifully serrated, or saw-edged, and bluntish 
towards the point. In the larger leaflets the 
lobes are distinct and separate one from the 
